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1.
J Clin Med ; 12(4)2023 Feb 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36836044

ABSTRACT

There is scarce evidence for the prognostic importance of hemodynamic measures, such as blood pressure (BP), BP variability, and arterial stiffness, in the very elderly population with advanced chronic conditions. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic importance of 24 h BP, BP variability, and arterial stiffness in a cohort of very elderly patients admitted to the hospital due to a decompensated chronic disease. We studied 249 patients older than 80 (66% women; 60% congestive heart failure). Noninvasive 24 h monitoring was used to determine 24 h brachial and central BP, BP and heart rate variabilities, aortic pulse wave velocity, and BP variability ratios during admission. The primary outcome was 1-year mortality. Aortic pulse wave velocity (3.3 times for each SD increase) and BP variability ratio (31% for each SD increase) were associated with 1-year mortality, after adjustments for clinical confounders. Increased systolic BP variability (38% increase for each SD change) and reduced heart rate variability (32% increase for each SD change) also predicted 1-year mortality. In conclusion, increased aortic stiffness and BP and heart rate variabilities predict 1-year mortality in very elderly patients with decompensated chronic conditions. Measurements of such estimates could be useful in the prognostic evaluation of this specific population.

2.
Nat Commun ; 13(1): 6096, 2022 10 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36243754

ABSTRACT

Reducing dimension redundancy to find simplifying patterns in high-dimensional datasets and complex networks has become a major endeavor in many scientific fields. However, detecting the dimensionality of their latent space is challenging but necessary to generate efficient embeddings to be used in a multitude of downstream tasks. Here, we propose a method to infer the dimensionality of networks without the need for any a priori spatial embedding. Due to the ability of hyperbolic geometry to capture the complex connectivity of real networks, we detect ultra low dimensionality far below values reported using other approaches. We applied our method to real networks from different domains and found unexpected regularities, including: tissue-specific biomolecular networks being extremely low dimensional; brain connectomes being close to the three dimensions of their anatomical embedding; and social networks and the Internet requiring slightly higher dimensionality. Beyond paving the way towards an ultra efficient dimensional reduction, our findings help address fundamental issues that hinge on dimensionality, such as universality in critical behavior.


Subject(s)
Connectome , Brain
3.
COPD ; 18(2): 210-218, 2021 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33729066

ABSTRACT

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the leading cause of hospitalization for chronic respiratory illness in Spain. In recent years hospital admissions due to bronchiectasis have been increasing, although it is not known whether this is in proportion to COPD hospitalizations. Our main objective was to analyze the temporal evolution of discharges due to COPD, bronchiectasis, and their combination, and secondly, to assess their impact on in-hospital mortality and healthcare costs. We performed a retrospective study, based on the analysis of the Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS) of hospital discharges using data from Spanish Ministry of Health with diagnostic codes of COPD or bronchiectasis between 2004 and 2015. We found 3 356 186 discharges with a diagnosis of COPD or bronchiectasis. After exclusions, 1 386 430 episodes were analyzed: 85.2% with COPD, 8.4% bronchiectasis, and 6.4% with both pathologies. Mean age of patients was 74.8 (10.9) years and with a male predominance of 80.1%. The increase in the annual number of discharges was greater in the two groups with bronchiectasis: 48.8% in the bronchiectasis group and 55.4% in the mixed group, compared to 6.6% in the COPD group. The mean length of stay was greater in both groups with bronchiectasis (p < 0.001), while in-hospital mortality was higher in the COPD group (p < 0.001). Similarly, the annual increase of costs was more evident in the two groups with bronchiectasis. Conclusions: Hospitalizations and health costs for bronchiectasis have increased in recent years significantly more than for COPD.Supplemental data for this aricle can be accessed here.


Subject(s)
Bronchiectasis , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Aged , Bronchiectasis/epidemiology , Female , Hospitalization , Humans , Male , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Spain/epidemiology
5.
Intern Emerg Med ; 9(4): 419-25, 2014 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23645508

ABSTRACT

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) are considered public health challenges of the 21st century. The coexistence of MetS in COPD patients and any clinical differences between COPD patients with and without MetS have not been extensively studied. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with MetS and COPD. An observational, multicenter study of 375 patients hospitalized for a COPD exacerbation with spirometric confirmation was performed. We measured the components of the MetS and collected comorbidity information using the Charlson index and other conditions. Dyspnea, use of steroids, exacerbations, and hospitalizations were also investigated. The overall prevalence of MetS in COPD patients was 42.9 %, was more frequent in women (59.5 %) than men (40.8 %), p = 0.02, but with no differences in age and smoking history. COPD patients with MetS had greater % predicted FEV1, more dyspnea, and more comorbidity and used more inhaled steroids (all p < 0.05). Diabetes, osteoporosis, coronary artery disease, and heart failure were more frequent in patients with MetS. They had been hospitalized more frequently for any cause but not for COPD. In multivariate analysis, the presence of MetS was independently associated with greater FEV1, inhaled steroids use, osteoporosis, diabetes, and heart failure. MetS is a frequent condition in COPD patients, and it is associated with greater FEV1, more dyspnea, and more comorbidities.


Subject(s)
Metabolic Syndrome/complications , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/complications , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology
6.
Chest ; 145(5): 972-980, 2014 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24077342

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: No valid tools exist for evaluating the prognosis in the short and medium term after hospital discharge of patients with COPD. Our hypothesis was that a new index based on the CODEX (comorbidity, obstruction, dyspnea, and previous severe exacerbations) index can accurately predict mortality, hospital readmission, and their combination for the period from 3 months to 1 year after discharge in patients hospitalized for COPD. METHODS: A multicenter study of patients hospitalized for COPD exacerbations was used to develop the CODEX index, and a different patient cohort was used for validation. Comorbidity was measured using the age-adjusted Charlson index, whereas dyspnea, obstruction, and severe exacerbations were calculated according to BODEX (BMI, airfl ow obstruction, dyspnea, and previous severe exacerbations) thresholds. Information about mortality and readmissions for COPD or other causes was collected at 3 and 12 months after hospital discharge. RESULTS: Two sets of 606 and 377 patients were included in the development and validation cohorts, respectively. The CODEX index was associated with mortality at 3 months ( P < .0001; hazard ratio [HR], 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2-1.8) and 1 year ( P < .0001; HR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.2-1.5 ), hospital readmissions in the same periods, and their combination (all P < .0001). All CODEX C statistics were superior to those of the BODEX, DOSE (dyspnea, airfl ow obstruction, smoking status, and exacerbation frequency), and updated ADO (age, dyspnea, and airfl ow obstruction) indexes. CONCLUSIONS: The CODEX index was a useful predictor of survival and readmission at both 3 months and 1 year after hospital discharge for a COPD exacerbation, with a prognostic capacity superior to other previously published indexes.


Subject(s)
Airway Obstruction/diagnosis , Dyspnea/diagnosis , Inpatients , Patient Discharge/trends , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis , Severity of Illness Index , Aged , Airway Obstruction/etiology , Disease Progression , Dyspnea/etiology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Hospital Mortality/trends , Humans , Male , Patient Readmission/trends , Prognosis , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/complications , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/mortality , Reproducibility of Results , Retrospective Studies , Spain/epidemiology , Survival Rate/trends , Time Factors
8.
Med. clín (Ed. impr.) ; 138(11): 461-467, abr. 2012.
Article in Spanish | IBECS | ID: ibc-100050

ABSTRACT

Fundamento y objetivo: Las hospitalizaciones por enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) se producen mayoritariamente en pacientes de edad avanzada. Nuestro objetivo es describir las características y el tratamiento de los pacientes ancianos hospitalizados por EPOC en los servicios de Medicina Interna, comparados con el grupo de menor edad. Pacientes y método: Estudio observacional, prospectivo y multicéntrico. Se comparan las diferencias entre los pacientes mayores de 80 años y el resto respecto a comorbilidad, gravedad de la EPOC, ingresos previos, días de estancia y tratamiento prescrito. La comorbilidad se valoró mediante el índice de Charlson y un cuestionario diseñado al efecto.Resultados: Se incluyeron 398 sujetos, 353 de ellos varones (89%), con una edad media (DE) de 73,7 (8,8) años, de los que 107 (26,9%) eran mayores de 80 años. Estos pacientes tenían menor gravedad de la EPOC según la clasificación GOLD (p<0,02). Aunque la comorbilidad global fue similar en ambos grupos, los pacientes ancianos tenían mayor presencia de arritmias (p<0,01), de hipertrofia ventricular izquierda (p<0,01) y recibían más diuréticos (p<0,05). La disnea, días de estancia y mortalidad fueron similares entre ambas poblaciones. La oxigenoterapia domiciliaria previa al ingreso y el uso de corticoides inhalados y la oxigenoterapia domiciliaria fueron menores en los pacientes mayores, incluso cuando estaban clínicamente indicados.Conclusiones: Una cuarta parte de los pacientes hospitalizados por EPOC en los servicios de Medicina Interna tienen más de 80 años. Aunque presentan menor obstrucción, tienen un grado de disnea similar, mayor comorbilidad cardiaca y su tratamiento se ajusta menos a las recomendaciones de las guías (AU)


Background and objective: Hospitalizations for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) occur mostly in elderly patients. We describe the characteristics and treatment of elderly patients hospitalized for COPD in Internal Medicine Services, compared with the younger age group. Patients and methods: Observational, prospective, multicenter study. We compared the differences between patients older than 80 years and the rest regarding comorbidity, severity of COPD, previous admissions, length of stay and treatment prescribed. Comorbidity was assessed by the Charlson index and a questionnaire was designed for this purpose.Results: We included 398 subjects, 353 men (89%) with a mean age of 73.7 years (SD 8.8), of whom about 107 (26.9%) were older than 80 years. These patients had less severe COPD according to the GOLD classification (P<.02). Although the overall morbidity was similar in both groups, elderly patients had greater presence of arrhythmias (P<.01), left ventricular hypertrophy (P<.01) and received more diuretics (P<.05). Dyspnoea, length of stay and mortality were similar between both populations. Home oxygen therapy prior to and use of inhaled corticosteroids and oxygen therapy was lower in older patients, even when they were clinically indicated. Conclusions: A quarter of patients hospitalized for COPD in Internal Medicine Services are over 80 years. Although they present less obstruction, they have a similar degree of dyspnea, increased cardiac morbidity and their treatment is less consistent with the recommendations of the guidelines (AU)


Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology , /statistics & numerical data , Recurrence , Comorbidity , Hospital Statistics , Severity of Illness Index
10.
Respiration ; 84(1): 36-43, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21996555

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is isolated in advanced stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to determine whether PA isolation during hospitalization for COPD exacerbation was associated with a poorer prognosis after discharge. METHODS: We prospectively studied all patients with COPD exacerbation admitted between June 2003 and September 2004. A sputum culture was obtained at admission. Comorbidity, functional dependence, hospitalizations during the previous year, dyspnea, quality of life and other variables previously associated with mortality in COPD were studied. Spirometry and a 6-min walking test were performed 1 month after discharge. Mortality was evaluated 3 years after discharge. RESULTS: A total of 181 patients were included in the study. Of these, 29 (16%) had PA in the sputum. The mean age was 72 years, and mean basal postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s was 45.2% predicted (SD 14.4). The mean point value on the BODE index was 5.1 (SD 2.5). At 3 years, 17 of 29 patients (58.6%) in the PA group had died, compared to 53 of the 152 non-PA patients [34.9%; p < 0.004; hazard ratio (HR) 2.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29-3.86]. In the multivariate analysis, PA remained statistically related to posthospital mortality (p = 0.02; HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.2) after adjustment for age (p < 0.02; HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.007-1.07), BODE index (p < 0.02; HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.02-1.3) and comorbidity (p < 0.02; HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.03-1.5). CONCLUSIONS: PA isolation in sputum in patients hospitalized for acute exacerbation of COPD is a prognostic marker of 3-year mortality. Poor prognosis is independent of other significant predictors of mortality such as BODE index, age and comorbidity, as measured by the Charlson index.


Subject(s)
Pseudomonas Infections/mortality , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/isolation & purification , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/mortality , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cohort Studies , Disease Progression , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Hospitalization , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Discharge , Prognosis , Prospective Studies , Pseudomonas Infections/complications , Pseudomonas Infections/diagnosis , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/complications , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis , Risk Factors , Spirometry , Sputum/microbiology
11.
Chest ; 142(5): 1126-1133, 2012 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23303399

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Comorbidities are frequent in patients hospitalized for COPD exacerbation, but little is known about their relation with short-term mortality and hospital readmissions. Our hypothesis is that the frequency and type of comorbidities impair the prognosis within 12 weeks after discharge. METHODS: A longitudinal, observational, multicenter study of patients hospitalized for a COPD exacerbation with spirometric confirmation was performed. Comorbidity information was collected using the Charlson index and a questionnaire that included other common conditions not included in this index. Dyspnea, functional status, and previous hospitalization for COPD or other reasons among other variables were investigated. Information on mortality and readmissions for COPD or other causes was collected up to 3 months after discharge. RESULTS: We studied 606 patients, 594 men (89.9%), with a mean (SD) age of 72.6 (9.9) years and a postbronchodilator FEV1 of 43.2% (21.2). The mean Charlson index score was 3.1 (2.0). On admission, 63.4% of patients had arterial hypertension, 35.8% diabetes mellitus, 32.8% chronic heart failure, 20.8% ischemic heart disease, 19.3% anemia, and 34% dyslipemia. Twenty-seven patients (4.5%) died within 3 months. The Charlson index was an independent predictor of mortality (P < .003; OR,1.23; 95% CI, 1.07-1.40), even after adjustment for age, FEV1, and functional status measured with the Katz index. Comorbidity was also related with the need for hospitalization from the ED, length of stay, and hospital readmissions for COPD or other causes. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidities are common in patients hospitalized for a COPD exacerbation, and they are related to short-term prognosis.


Subject(s)
Hospitalization , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology , Aged , Chi-Square Distribution , Comorbidity , Female , Humans , Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Patient Readmission/statistics & numerical data , Prognosis , Proportional Hazards Models , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/mortality , Respiratory Function Tests , Spain/epidemiology , Statistics, Nonparametric , Surveys and Questionnaires
12.
Med Clin (Barc) ; 138(11): 461-7, 2012 Apr 28.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22118975

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hospitalizations for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) occur mostly in elderly patients. We describe the characteristics and treatment of elderly patients hospitalized for COPD in Internal Medicine Services, compared with the younger age group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational, prospective, multicenter study. We compared the differences between patients older than 80 years and the rest regarding comorbidity, severity of COPD, previous admissions, length of stay and treatment prescribed. Comorbidity was assessed by the Charlson index and a questionnaire was designed for this purpose. RESULTS: We included 398 subjects, 353 men (89%) with a mean age of 73.7 years (SD 8.8), of whom about 107 (26.9%) were older than 80 years. These patients had less severe COPD according to the GOLD classification (P<.02). Although the overall morbidity was similar in both groups, elderly patients had greater presence of arrhythmias (P<.01), left ventricular hypertrophy (P<.01) and received more diuretics (P<.05). Dyspnoea, length of stay and mortality were similar between both populations. Home oxygen therapy prior to and use of inhaled corticosteroids and oxygen therapy was lower in older patients, even when they were clinically indicated. CONCLUSIONS: A quarter of patients hospitalized for COPD in Internal Medicine Services are over 80 years. Although they present less obstruction, they have a similar degree of dyspnea, increased cardiac morbidity and their treatment is less consistent with the recommendations of the guidelines.


Subject(s)
Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Acute Disease , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Guideline Adherence , Humans , Internal Medicine , Male , Oxygen Inhalation Therapy/statistics & numerical data , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Prospective Studies , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/complications , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/mortality , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/therapy , Severity of Illness Index , Spain , Treatment Outcome
13.
Intern Emerg Med ; 6(1): 47-54, 2011 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20886377

ABSTRACT

We aim to improve knowledge on risk factors that relate to mortality in subjects with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are hospitalized in General Medicine departments. In a cross-sectional multicenter study, by means of a logistic regression analysis, we assessed the possible association of death during hospitalization with the following groups of variables of participating patients: sociodemographic features, treatment received prior to admission and during hospitalization, COPD-related clinical features recorded prior to admission, comorbidity diagnosed prior to admission, clinical data recorded during hospitalization, laboratory results recorded during hospitalization, and electrocardiographic findings recorded during hospitalization. A total of 398 patients was included; 353 (88.7%) were male, and the median age of the patients was 75 years. Of these patients, 21 (5.3%) died during hospitalization. Only 270 (67.8%) received inhaled ß(2) agonists during hospitalization, while 162 (40.7%) received angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers. The median of predicted FEV(1) prior to admission was 42%. A total of 350 patients (87.9%) had been diagnosed with two or more comorbid conditions prior to admission. An association was found between increased risk of death during hospitalization and the previous diagnoses of pneumonia, coronary heart disease, and stroke. In conclusion, comorbidity is an important contributor to mortality among patients hospitalized in General Medicine departments because of COPD exacerbation.


Subject(s)
Cause of Death , Hospital Departments , Hospital Mortality , Internal Medicine , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/complications , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/mortality , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Male , Spain/epidemiology , Surveys and Questionnaires
14.
Respiration ; 73(3): 311-7, 2006.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16155352

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hospital readmissions for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are one of the leading causes of health care expenditures worldwide. OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors for hospital readmission in COPD patients. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 129 consecutive patients hospitalized for acute exacerbation of COPD. Clinical, spirometric and arterial blood gas variables were measured during hospitalization. Socioeconomic characteristics, comorbidity, dyspnea, functional dependence, depression, social support and quality of life were also analyzed. Readmission was defined as one or more hospitalizations in the following year. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 75 (58.5%) patients were readmitted. In bivariate analysis, readmission was associated with previous hospitalization for COPD in the past year, dyspnea scale, PaCO(2) at discharge, depression, cor pulmonale, chronic domiciliary oxygen and quality of life measured by the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire. In multivariate analysis, the best predictor of readmission was the combination of hospitalization for COPD in the previous year (odds ratio, OR: 4.27; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.5-12), the total score of the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire >or=50 points (OR: 2.36; 95% CI: 1.03-5.04) and PaCO(2) at discharge >or=45 mm Hg (OR: 2.18; 95% CI: 0.84-5.06). With this model, the probability of readmission for patients without any of these variables was 7%, while it was 70% for the patients with all three variables present. CONCLUSION: The combination of quality of life, hospitalization for COPD in the previous year and hypercapnia at discharge are useful predictors of readmission at 1 year.


Subject(s)
Patient Readmission/statistics & numerical data , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology , Aged , Confidence Intervals , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Prognosis , Prospective Studies , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology , Recurrence , Regression Analysis , Risk Factors , Severity of Illness Index , Spain/epidemiology , Spirometry , Survival Rate/trends
15.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil ; 86(6): 1234-8, 2005 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15954065

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To validate a new functional ambulation classification. DESIGN: Validity study. SETTING: In- and outpatients of a district hospital rehabilitation service. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-one patients with poststroke hemiplegic gait disorders compared with a control group of 5 healthy people. Interventions Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Three independent examiners assessed the functional ambulation levels of each patient in blind trials. Interrater reliability was analyzed among the examiners. Walking velocity (slow, normal, fast) was measured with a manual chronometer, and the number of steps taken over a 48-hour period was recorded with a step counter. The linear correlation was calculated from among functional level classification, walking velocity, and the number of steps taken. RESULTS: There was a good interrater reliability among the examiners (kappa=.74). A significant association and a linear correlation were found between functional ambulation level, walking velocity, and the number of steps taken. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed classification is reliable and valid for determining the different levels of walking abilities.


Subject(s)
Gait Disorders, Neurologic/classification , Gait Disorders, Neurologic/physiopathology , Stroke/physiopathology , Case-Control Studies , Female , Hemiplegia/physiopathology , Humans , Linear Models , Male , Middle Aged , Reproducibility of Results
16.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil ; 86(6): 1239-44, 2005 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15954066

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate walking recovery after an acute stroke by using both a new functional classification and the Barthel Index, and to identify factors associated with good recovery. DESIGN: A 1-year inception cohort study. SETTING: In- and outpatient setting in a district hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six patients with a prognosis of intermediate walking recovery. INTERVENTION: Conventional physical rehabilitation under professional supervision. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Walking capacity was assessed with a new classification scale and the Barthel Index during 5 patient evolution stages (admission to the hospital, hospital and physiotherapy discharge, clinical review, end of study). We also assessed the severity of the paresis of the affected lower limb, the time lapse between the stroke until the recovery of the weight-bearing capacity of the affected leg, and finally the time until standing balance was regained. RESULTS: We detected improvement in walking capacity throughout the follow-up process with our new classification scale, but not with the Barthel Index. Significant improvements were observed from the initial assessment, from 1 month onward, and from 3 to 12 months. The functional level of the final ambulation correlated negatively and significantly with the initial time to achieve weight-bearing capacity on the affected leg and also with the standing balance. There was also a significant correlation with the severity of lower-extremity paresis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients experienced an improvement in walking recovery throughout the first year after their stroke. The early weight-bearing capacity of the affected leg and standing balance were associated with higher walking levels 1 year after the stroke.


Subject(s)
Gait Disorders, Neurologic/classification , Gait Disorders, Neurologic/rehabilitation , Recovery of Function/physiology , Stroke Rehabilitation , Walking/physiology , Aged , Disability Evaluation , Female , Gait Disorders, Neurologic/physiopathology , Hemiplegia/physiopathology , Humans , Lower Extremity/physiopathology , Male , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Paresis/physiopathology , Postural Balance/physiology , Prospective Studies , Severity of Illness Index , Stroke/physiopathology , Time Factors , Weight-Bearing/physiology
17.
Medicine (Baltimore) ; 81(6): 417-24, 2002 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12441898

ABSTRACT

Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (PCH) is a rare cause of primary pulmonary hypertension characterized by thin-walled microvessels infiltrating the peribronchial and perivascular interstitium, the lung parenchyma, and the pleura. These proliferating microvessels are prone to bleeding, resulting in accumulation of hemosiderin-laden macrophages in alveolar spaces. Here we report 2 cases of PCH with pulmonary hypertension, 1 of them associated with mechanical intravascular hemolysis, a feature previously reported in other hemangiomatous diseases, but not in PCH. Case 2 was diagnosed by pulmonary biopsy; to our knowledge the patient is the second adult to be treated with interferon alpha-2a. Review of the literature identified 35 patients with PCH and pulmonary hypertension. The prognosis is poor and median survival was 3 years from the first clinical manifestation. Dyspnea and right heart failure are the most common findings of the disease. Hemoptysis, pleural effusion, acropachy, and signs of pulmonary capillary hypertension are less common. Chest X-ray or computed tomography scan usually shows evidence of interstitial infiltrates, pulmonary nodules, or pleural effusion. Hemodynamic features include normal wedge pressures. Radiologic and hemodynamic findings are undifferentiated from those of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease but differ from other causes of primary pulmonary hypertension. Epoprostenol therapy, considered the treatment of choice in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension, may produce pulmonary edema and is contraindicated in patients with PCH. Regression of lesions was reported in 1 patient treated with interferon therapy and 2 other patients stabilized, including our second patient. PCH was treated successfully by lung transplantation in 5 cases. Early recognition of PCH in patients with suspected primary pulmonary hypertension is possible based on clinical and radiologic characteristics. Diagnosis by pulmonary biopsy is essential for allowing appropriate treatment.


Subject(s)
Hemangioma, Capillary/complications , Hypertension, Pulmonary/etiology , Lung Diseases/complications , Angiogenesis Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Antihypertensive Agents , Biopsy , Contraindications , Dyspnea/etiology , Epoprostenol , Heart Failure/etiology , Hemangioma, Capillary/diagnosis , Hemangioma, Capillary/mortality , Hemangioma, Capillary/therapy , Hemoptysis/etiology , Hemosiderin/analysis , Humans , Interferon alpha-2 , Interferon-alpha/therapeutic use , Lung Diseases/diagnosis , Lung Diseases/mortality , Lung Diseases/therapy , Lung Transplantation , Macrophages/chemistry , Macrophages/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Pleural Effusion/etiology , Prognosis , Pulmonary Wedge Pressure , Recombinant Proteins , Remission, Spontaneous , Respiratory Function Tests , Survival Rate , Treatment Outcome
18.
Chest ; 121(5): 1441-8, 2002 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12006426

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To identify variables associated with mortality in patients admitted to the hospital for acute exacerbation of COPD. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Acute-care hospital in Barcelona (Spain). PATIENTS: One hundred thirty-five consecutive patients hospitalized for acute exacerbation of COPD, between October 1996 and May 1997. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Clinical, spirometric, and gasometric variables were evaluated at the time of inclusion in the study. Socioeconomic characteristics, comorbidity, dyspnea, functional status, depression, and quality of life were analyzed. Mortality at 180 days, 1 year, and 2 years was 13.4%, 22%, and 35.6%, respectively. Sixty-four patients (47.4%) were dead at the end of the study (median follow-up duration, 838 days). Greater mortality was observed in the bivariate analysis among the oldest patients (p < 0.0001), women (p < 0.01), and unmarried patients (p < 0.002). Hospital admission during the previous year (p < 0.001), functional dependence (Katz index) [p < 0.0004], greater comorbidity (Charlson index) [p < 0.0006], depression (Yesavage Scale) [p < 0.00001]), quality of life (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire [SGRQ]) [p < 0.01], and PCO(2) at discharge (p < 0.03) were also among the significant predictors of mortality. In the multivariate analysis, the activity SGRQ subscale (p < 0.001; odds ratio [OR], 2.62; confidence interval [CI], 1.43 to 4.78), comorbidity (p < 0.005; OR, 2.2; CI, 1.26 to 3.84), depression (p < 0.004; OR, 3.6; CI, 1.5 to 8.65), hospital readmission (p < 0.03; OR, 1.85; CI, 1.26 to 3.84), and marital status (p < 0.0002; OR, 3.12; CI, 1.73 to 5.63) were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of life, marital status, depressive symptoms, comorbidity, and prior hospital admission provide relevant information of prognosis in this group of COPD patients.


Subject(s)
Hospitalization , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/mortality , Acute Disease , Aged , Carbon Dioxide/blood , Comorbidity , Confidence Intervals , Depression/complications , Dyspnea/etiology , Female , Forced Expiratory Volume , Humans , Male , Multivariate Analysis , Odds Ratio , Oxygen/blood , Prognosis , Prospective Studies , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/therapy , Quality of Life , Risk Factors , Socioeconomic Factors , Spain/epidemiology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Survival Rate , Vital Capacity
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